Chapter 40
School festival started while Yejun's piano competition was also in the corner. Jia is busy with her classwork since there are a lot of things to be fixed. She painted half of the crops with Liam's help and Jia was occupied the entire afternoon.
Yejun will perform last. The auditorium is full of students and outsiders. Jia sneaks out to the venue to check everything out that she recalls in her past life. Jia was proud sitting in the VIP seats watching the disappointments in people's eyes while seeing how Yejun lost at the competition. Jia didn't remember the expression he wore but Jia is sure that it was not good. Yejun is a prodigy, someone who excels in playing the piano. Jia knew it was one of Yejun's passions but it crumbled into pieces after Jia manipulated the result. She feels the subtle discomfort in her chest while remembering her awful doing. It always leaves a bitter taste, the wickedness she inflicted. However, it's fascinating now that Jia is in the same situation, and she prays that Yejun will win it this time. To finally get the recognition and talent he thrived while being watched by many people who admire Yejun's performance.
The important people are also in their seats just like Jia recollects it. The auditorium is full of people but the noise is bearable. Jia wishes that she could watch it live but because she is busy doing errands appointed by their adviser that will last until the last hour of the event making she feel guilty but Jia brushes off the strange feeling instead she exits the auditorium and goes to one of the waiting rooms. There is a name hanging on the wall and Jia likes to see Yejun before she takes off.
Jia knocks on the door and opens it. There are few students around talking with Yejun. Hyuk is also inside beside Yejun. Their attention turned to her when she entered with Jia gleaming with acknowledgment.
"Good luck Yejun! We will support you!" Jia heard, the girl's cheeks were pink and her eyes were sparkling. She has a companion but Yejun nodded at her with his neutral expression. The girls exit the door before glancing at Yejun for one last time with hearts all over their faces.
Hyuk smirks while Jia's eyes widen by the obvious fondness she witnesses. Wow! They must be his fans. Yejun is popular and it's not strange that there are a lot of girls crushing on him. Jia remembered being bitched out by Yejun's supposed supporters in her past life. She even tried to plot something for them but her lovely best friend urged her to ignore them. Yumi also said that Jia is wrong and she cannot force them since Jia was also acting based on her feelings; of dislike towards Yejun. It's a complicated and hard journey but then, Jia won in the end but it's a deplorable occurrence. She wanted to forget her bad doings and replace them with a good memory where she can cheer for Yejun. In this life with her sincerity. It is also a cool thing to do.
"Hmm, I guess my rooting isn't needed anymore since you have pretty and cheerful fans," Jia said cheerfully and walked on the sofa across Yejun and Hyuk. She crossed her arms while smirking when she settled her seat comfortably.
"They've been here for hours. It's tiring." Yejun complained, he aligned his hair that's covering his eyes before looking at Jia.
"Lucky you then. By the way, where is Penelope?" Jia let her back relax while staring at the two boys. She suddenly feels drowsy. She yawns and covers her mouth. Her back unconsciously lay at the mattress.
"You look... worn out," Hyuk commented, ignoring Jia's question. Then after pocketing his phone he crossed his leg while staring curiously at Jia.
"Yep. I just finished painting the props for the play and I got an errand to sort out… Just random papers later. You know what? I've been waking up early for three consecutive days and I'm getting tired." Jia grumbled in a low voice. She let her head rest on the soft fabric while hugging the plushie she found near her seat. "Don't tell them I sneak out here to rest for a little." She asserted.
The two boys looked at her with concern but did not say anything. They are all busy with the festival and competition coming. Hyuk thinks of something to do after all of the chaos and hard work. He already mentioned it to Yejun earlier before coming, and seeing his friend acting worn out cools his head. They needed a break, a good break that can make their members relax. He slipped in the daze of thoughts but got stopped by the SMS he received.
"Guys, I gotta go now, duty calls. I'll be back later." Hyuk bid his farewell after reading the text from the vice president of the student council. Yejun nodded after seeing Hyuk hurriedly close the door. The silence followed them while Jia remained with her eyes closed.
"You can stay here for minutes before coming back," Yejun suggested, his shoulder relaxing, staring at Jia.
"I wish I could do that but I'm busy." Jia hugged the plushie tightly. The material is soft and smells good. She likes to sleep in it.
"I can see you're close to falling asleep but it's the wrong place, Jia." Yejun sneers when Jia opens her eyes and pouts to Yejun nagging.
"Excuse me, sir. I will not sleep in your space." Jia avoided eye contact with Yejun yet she kept up her smug look and received a scowl from Yejun.
"You've been hugging my plushie without my permission and so comfortable. It's only a matter of time until you go to sleep." Yejun stated, He looks about to laugh and it's scary since Yejun is hard to comprehend.
Jia reddened from embarrassment. Her expression is comical while staring at the adorable yellow plushie that looks like a lion before looking at Yejun's judgmental gaze.
"T-This is yours? Uhm, I'm sorry." Jia let go of the plushie and immediately felt the loss of the fluffy stuff. She pouted and thought of the topic to flee from the embarrassment.
"I'm here to cheer you up though. Please forget my shameful act just now, my lord." Jia joked and received a small giggle from Yejun.
She stares at him. Her brown eyes glisten with gratefulness and grief as Jia wants to tell Yejun about how much she ruined his life previously. She wanted to tell him how talented and good he is at playing the piano and how much she likes watching him playing with heartfelt melody. She blinked when Yejun met her gaze. An unknown expression heavily printed in his eyes. There's a thick sense of emotions flickering that Jia couldn't break free. The atmosphere between them becomes like the waves of an immense ocean, peaceful and quiet, like a wind from the summer breeze cooling the humid predicaments of her feelings. Jia likes the calmness and she wishes that she could share it with Yejun. Jia plans to give a strong cheer so she can wash away the dismay she gave to him beforehand. She wants the bad memory to change.
"Yejun... I know it is odd to say it but I know you will win this. Your performance is the most fascinating melody I've ever listened to in my life. Be confident! You've got this!" Jia clenched her both knuckles to show the cheering form. "Break a leg!" Jia giggles, staring at his black eyes.
"You really confused me, Jia Kim. However, I know that I will win the competition. Thanks." Yejun returned a smile at her.
"thug,"
Jia gulped by the sudden erratic heartbeat of her heart. She blinked several times, confronting the dark eyes staring straight at her. The surrounding started to get humid, Jia could feel her cheeks burning. What's happening? Why is she suddenly nervous?
"Yejun!" The tension broke out when they heard voices from the door. Penelope, Yumi, and Juno show up and are walking inside greeting them.
"Jia! Hyuk told me you're here sneaking out." Yumi mentions as she sits beside her and hugs Jia with affection.
"Yumi" Jia closes her eyes and leaves her face buried in Yumi's chest. She could hear Yumi's stable heart, totally different from her nervousness that did not subside, almost to the point that it's painful.
"Heh, since Hyuk ratted you out, you need to go now," Juno muttered smirking mischievously.
"No, I like it here," Jia said in a hoarse voice.
"Jia is tired, let her be." Penelope looked at her with fondness in her eyes. Jia wanted to cry because of Penelope's kindness to her.
"Nah, I need to go. I already said my cheer to Yejun so I'll be going, folks." Jia frowns, trying to act normal, and prepares to get up.
"Goodbye," Jia said dramatically before closing the door.
Jia walks slowly because her heart isn't loosening up. What was that? It's painful in her chest but only weirdly painful. It's like it was being squeezed and the hollow space is uncomfortable. There's also a weird butterfly in her stomach. She slaps her face and sees the reflection that she's become red.
"I'm hungry," Jia growled.
She quickly walks to the stairs looking for the cafeteria. Her head is in a daze as the scene earlier keeps repeating in her head. She fanned herself using her hands. She feels thirsty too. Jia's memories with Yejun expressions are blurred. She could feel the heat spreading in her cheeks, Jia is flustered by the sequence. The foreign emotions quickly affect her thinking. Jia sits at the edge corner of the stairs trying to stabilize her breathing. She needs to calm down. The volatile beating of her heart made her weak. She became sensitive to the air and Jia could feel the hollowness of her stomach. She thought she was hungry and wondered weirdly.
It's bizarre and Jia doesn't figure out what she is feeling. She inhaled heavily and tapped her chest. It's not happiness nor calmness she experienced a while ago but being with Yejun in the same room close as hearing each other breathing made Jia aware of the blooming sensations in her chest. She stays seated for more minutes before going down.
Jia reaches the cafeteria and orders her sandwich and a soda. She could feel unusual but being hungry is familiar to the point that Jia's stomach is putting voice. She finds her usual seat and quietly eats her food.
Jia sighed.
What a weird day.
End of chapter 40.